mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈma-k(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a scombroid fish (Scomber scombrus of the family Scombridae) of the North Atlantic that is green above with dark blue bars and silvery below and is a commercially important food fish

2

: any of various fishes (such as the wahoo and king mackerel) in the same family as the mackerel especially when distinguished from the related bonito or tuna by a comparatively smaller size

Illustration of mackerel

• mackerel 1

Examples of mackerel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Steller sea lions are opportunistic predators that hunt mostly at night and feed on more than 100 species of fish — Atka mackerel, pollock, salmon and cod among them — plus cephalopods like squid and octopus. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

This makes the Atlantic mackerel a better option for a wider group of people. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 24 Apr. 2026

There’s a smoky mackerel with plantain purée that nods to roadside barbecues in Freetown, while griddled spatchcock poussin with palm butter sauce is rich, nutty, and fast becoming a signature. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Salmon and Atlantic mackerel are safer choices for mercury levels compared to King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English makerel, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mackerel

• Atka mackerel
• holy mackerel
• horse mackerel
• jack mackerel
• king mackerel
• mackerel shark
• mackerel sky
• Spanish mackerel

Kids Definition

mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈmak-(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a North Atlantic food fish that is green with blue bars above and silvery below

2

: any of various usually small or medium-sized fishes related to the mackerel